Install packer for PocketPC

[siege1975]

I'm looking for a good, free and above all easy to understand (preferably a gui driven) install pack maker for PocketPC games that I make.


Can anyone help me out here please?

[BeyondtheTech]

Have you already made a CAB file with your program files and data? WinCE CAB Manager from OCP Software is not cheap, but it's fantastic to use. Their site is: http://www.ocpsoftware.com.

Once you have that done, you can use a free program such as EZSetup to piece together your CAB file into a desktop installer. EZSetup can be found here: http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/ezsetup/?en

[siege1975]

Have you already made a CAB file with your program files and data? WinCE CAB Manager from OCP Software is not cheap, but it's fantastic to use. Their site is: http://www.ocpsoftware.com.

Thanks for the information. I don't suppose there is a good freeware proggie out there that does the same as the above program?

£88 is seriously overpriced for a indi developer like myself

[BeyondtheTech]

The downloadable trial gives you 15 free uses out of it before it stops working without a serial number.

Here's a trick...

The 15 uses are based on the number of times it opens and closes. So, if you leave the program open all the time and just open and close the CAB files inside the window, you can basically keep the program running as long as you need to. Of course, if you accidentally shut down the program or reboot your PC, well, that's one less trial you have left.

[siege1975]

The downloadable trial gives you 15 free uses out of it before it stops working without a serial number.

Here's a trick...

The 15 uses are based on the number of times it opens and closes. So, if you leave the program open all the time and just open and close the CAB files inside the window, you can basically keep the program running as long as you need to. Of course, if you accidentally shut down the program or reboot your PC, well, that's one less trial you have left.

Cool tip, Thanks

[siege1975]

Is there a good (simple) source of documentation for the inf file format that is used by the installer. If there is I could more than likely make a program that did the lot. (It'd be freeware of course )

[BeyondtheTech]

from http://www.pocketpcdn.com/articles/ezsetup.html ...

Using EzSetup
First of all you should create CAB files and write .ini file. Then start ezsetup.exe in command like. Here is usage example:

Code: Select all

ezsetup.exe -l english -i install.ini -r readme.txt -e eula.txt -o myapp_setup.exe

Where install.ini contains the following lines:

Code: Select all

[CEAppManager]
Version      = 1.0
Component    = My Application

[My Application]
Description  = My test application
Uninstall    = My Application
CabFiles     = myapp.arm.cab,myapp.mips.cab,myapp.sh3.cab

EzSetup will create myapp_setup.exe executable file that consists of two steps. The first step shows content of readme.txt file. The second step shows end user license agreement from eula.txt and prompts user to agree. Only after then the setup installs necessary CAB to the attached Pocket PC.

[siege1975]

Thanks for all your help on this.

It appears to be the Inf file that is the biggest problem about making installs. If ever there was a need for a wizard now is the time <thinks hmmmm> Thing of it is is that you need the cabwiz.exe from the PocketPC SDK (Whilst free it's also HUGE). If the damn damn files were just compressed versions of themselves this would be a lot easier. I could knock up a wizard and an installer myself. Damn it!

Wonder what the licencing is on that little utility anyway? I'll have to check.

Like I said though, thanks for your help. I think I'll try tinkering around with cabwiz and inf files a bit. Though for my project I can use that other installer

CJ

[BeyondtheTech]

I never used CABwiz. I simply typed up the INI file, used WinCE CAB Manager to build the CAB file, typed up a readme.txt and eula.txt file, then ran that EZsetup.exe command line. Voila, done!